EFFECTIVENESS OF AN ACTIVE BREAKS INTERVENTION IN THE ITALIAN SCHOOL CONTEXT

While recognizing the numerous benefits associated with physical activities on the learning and development processes of children and adolescents, the time allocated for physical activities within the Italian school system is limited to only two hours of Physical Education per week. The aim of this contribution is to present the effects of a five-week Active Breaks (AB) intervention, conducted on a sample of 42 primary school students in Italy (10.11±0.32 years), assessing its effectiveness on motor development and some related factors. Each intervention, conducted in the classroom setting, lasted 5-10 minutes. The results showed a general improvement in motor coordination, enjoyment, and self-perception among the students following the intervention. AB represent a valid didactic and organizational strategy aimed at increasing the time and space dedicated to movement, and useful in creating significant learning settings.